Introduction to KIS

Welcome to Kodaikanal International School, a unique school with an extraordinary history and tradition spanning well over a hundred years! Our keen focus on our students, commitment to quality and dedication to continuous improvement empowers our students to handle whatever life may throw at them. Our greatest strength lies in our commitment to community – the crafting together of a shared vision.

Kodaikanal International School – A School The World Needs

From our establishment in 1901 as an American residential school for the children of missionaries in South India, our many milestones include a number of ‘firsts’ – from when we became the first IB school, first international school in India (and the third in Asia) by adopting the International Baccalaureate Diploma program in 1976 among only nine other schools worldwide; to when we became the first school in India to have its own separate campus for camping and outdoor activities in 1994.

As our Principal, Corey Stixrud, once said: “Learning happens when we learn directly about a new culture…not from a textbook but from our roommate, or a new friend. Learning grows out of our successes and our failures. It happens when we study, work, talk, play, pray, share, reflect, argue…and when we make up. Granted, it doesn’t happen all the time, but a community that is imbued with the spirit of learning finds that learning is an ongoing continuous process.”

And this philosophy has paid off – our graduates, aside from growing into well-developed and well-adjusted world citizens, consistently achieve higher results than world averages in IB and SAT examinations – and 100% of KIS students who apply gain entry to colleges and universities worldwide. The KIS High School Diploma is US accredited and also allows KIS graduates direct entry to Indian universities.

KIS depends on a strong management team, a supportive governing council, dedicated teachers and residential parents, hard-working support and operational staff, and, of course, a great group of students that make all our efforts supremely worthwhile.

KIS Vision Statement

‘‘We strive to be a school the world needs: Our graduates will be transformative leaders, caring humans and thoughtful ambassadors for a just, sustainable and peaceful world.’’

KIS Mission Statement

‘‘Kodaikanal International School (KIS) is committed to empowering young people from diverse backgrounds with vision, knowledge, compassion and cross-cultural understanding. We are a community that welcomes everyone and seeks our purpose in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.’’